If you have an engineering background and are considering a new career direction, becoming an Engineering Tutor could be the ideal way to put your technical knowledge and industry experience to work in a rewarding training career.
An Engineering Tutor helps learners develop the practical and theoretical skills they need to progress into engineering. Combining technical expertise with teaching, coaching and assessment, the role offers experienced engineers the opportunity to share their knowledge while helping shape the next generation of skilled professionals.
But what does an Engineering Tutor do, what qualifications and experience do you need, and how can you make the move from engineering into training?
What does an Engineering Tutor do?
An Engineering Tutor teaches and supports learners developing the practical and theoretical skills required for a career in engineering.
Depending on the role and level of training, this can include subjects such as engineering principles, manufacturing processes, mechanical engineering, CNC machining, CNC programming, fabrication, maintenance and fluid power systems.
An Engineering Tutor may be responsible for:
- Delivering theoretical and practical engineering training
- Demonstrating engineering techniques and processes
- Supporting learners with practical projects and assessments
- Monitoring learner progress and providing constructive feedback
- Helping learners develop workplace-ready technical skills
- Adapting training to different learning styles and abilities
- Maintaining a safe and effective training environment
- Sharing practical knowledge and experience gained in industry
For specialist roles, this can include teaching CNC programming, setting and machining, or helping learners develop practical maintenance skills and understand fluid power systems.
The role is therefore about more than teaching engineering theory. A good Engineering Tutor draws on practical experience to show learners how engineering principles are applied in real-world workplaces.
What qualifications do you need to become an Engineering Tutor?
The qualifications required to become an Engineering Tutor can vary depending on the employer, training programme and level of teaching.
A relevant engineering or manufacturing qualification is typically important. For example, In-Comm’s current CNC Programmer / Tutor Assessor opportunity requires an engineering or manufacturing qualification at NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, alongside GCSE Mathematics and English at Grade 4 or above, or equivalent qualifications.
A teaching or assessing qualification can also be beneficial. Qualifications such as an Award in Education and Training (AET) or a Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) can provide a useful foundation for a career in technical training.
However, you don’t necessarily need to already hold a teaching qualification to make the move into training. In-Comm provides fully funded training towards teaching and assessing qualifications for suitable candidates who don’t already have them.
This means experienced engineers can bring their technical expertise into a training role while developing the additional teaching and assessment skills they need.
What industry experience does an Engineering Tutor need?
Practical industry experience can be one of the most valuable assets for an Engineering Tutor.
Learners benefit from understanding how engineering principles and processes are applied in real workplaces. An experienced engineer can provide relevant examples, demonstrate techniques, and explain the challenges that professionals encounter on the job.
For CNC-focused Engineering Tutor roles, relevant experience in CNC machining, programming, and setting is particularly valuable. Practical experience of setting up and operating CNC machinery can help tutors demonstrate techniques and explain the realities of working in an engineering environment.
Knowledge of CNC controls and programming systems, including Fanuc and Siemens, can also be an advantage. For a Maintenance (Fluid Power) Tutor role, practical maintenance experience and a strong understanding of fluid power systems are valuable when helping learners connect theory with real equipment, fault-finding and maintenance practice.
The amount and type of experience required will depend on the position. However, if you have spent years working in engineering and enjoy helping colleagues, apprentices or less experienced team members develop their skills, you may already have many of the qualities needed to become an Engineering Tutor.
What skills does an Engineering Tutor need?
Technical knowledge is essential, but successful Engineering Tutors need more than engineering expertise.
Communication is particularly important. Tutors need to explain potentially complex concepts in ways that learners with different levels of knowledge and experience can understand.
They also need to be able to motivate and engage learners, adapt their teaching to different learning styles and abilities, and provide constructive feedback that supports development.
Other useful skills include:
- Problem-solving
- Organisation and time management
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Mentoring and coaching
- Practical demonstration
- Assessment and feedback
- Attention to detail
- Health and safety awareness
- A commitment to continuous improvement
You do not necessarily need to have worked as a teacher before. Experience training colleagues, apprentices, or new team members can demonstrate your ability to communicate technical information and support the development of others.
Why move from engineering into training?
Moving from an engineering role into training can offer a rewarding way to use your existing skills while taking your career in a new direction.
One of the biggest advantages is the opportunity to pass your knowledge on to the next generation. Instead of focusing solely on projects, production targets, or day-to-day engineering challenges, you can help learners develop the technical skills and confidence they need to begin their own careers.
Training can also offer greater variety. An Engineering Tutor may work with different learners, deliver different subjects and combine practical demonstrations with classroom-based teaching.
For experienced engineers who enjoy problem-solving, communication and supporting others, training can be a natural career progression.
There is also an opportunity to make a wider contribution to the engineering sector. With employers continuing to need skilled technical professionals, Engineering Tutors play an important role in developing the workforce that UK engineering and manufacturing businesses need.
How can I become an Engineering Tutor at In-Comm Training?
In-Comm is currently recruiting for two Engineering Tutor roles:
- Engineering (CNC Programmer) Tutor – Aldridge
- Maintenance (Fluid Power) Tutor – Telford
Both roles are aimed at experienced industry professionals ready to move into teaching, coaching and assessment. You do not need to already hold teaching or assessing qualifications, as fully funded training is available for suitable candidates.
Ready to make the move? Explore current Engineering Tutor opportunities with In-Comm.